September 2010

01.09.10: The first of September and the last day of our holiday. As we mounted the car this morning the temperature gauge said it was 86 degrees and it was only 10.30am. First we visited a State Park, but it wasn't anything to write home about. The most notable thing was the 'earth closet' which seemed odd that they felt they felt they had to be eco friendly when there was air conditioning and hand dryers in the block! Next we headed for downtown Sleepy Hollow, which was originally called Tarry Town, but renamed after the film was made 15 years ago. We visited Phillipseburg Manor, a most beautiful large stone white house by the side of a mill pond which dates from 1693. Strangely we were given the tour on our own as there was no-one else there - probably due to the fact that the temperature was now well into the 90s. We felt sorry for our guides dressed in authentic heavy woollen clothes, but there was much to listen to and discover. Graham was in his element when our second guide pulled at some ropes, diverted water from the trace which in turn turned the huge cogs and milled some corn without a hint of electricity. After a hasty sandwich we dashed a few miles down the road to Sunnyside, the home of Irving Washington who wrote The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle. There again we were treated to an exclusive tour with a little old lady wearing a long dress with a puff skirt. We explained that we were in a bit of a hurry as we needed to leave by 3.30pm in order to be at the airport on time. She graciously obliged, timing the talk to the second and including enough time to walk back up to the shop without pausing, pretty impressive seeing as the temperature was well into the 90s. We promised to go back one day and I'm sure we will...

Everything else went like clockwork, we arrived at the airport, took the car back, got changed and still had half an hour to have a cup of tea in the Premier waiting rooms. Graham had worked out that as this might be our last trip, we may as well use up any remaining points on a first class seat on the way home. It was the perfect ending to our best trip yet...if only I hadn't had toothache...

02.09.10. We arrived at Birmingham 20 minutes early, collected our suitcases and were on our way home within 30 minutes of landing. The air was fresh and the sun shining, although by the time we approached Derby it was foggy with a distinct chill in the air. Lucy was on her way to yet another job interview, so the house seemed very quiet. Thankfully I had a dental appointment at 12.30pm and frankly it couldn't come soon enough. The needle with the anaesthetic really hurt going in, but I was so thankful to be free of pain. Apparently the nerve had died in my tooth and was duly removed and an appointment made for a root filling in a fortnight, lucky me... The rest of the day was uneventful, just very quiet...

03.09.10: Lucy has now accepted a job as a buyer with Oxfam in Oxford, she starts next Tuesday 14th.

06.09.10: We all went down to Oxford to take Lucy to see some rooms up for rent. Of the half dozen she saw, only one was even slightly suitable, a converted loft with own shower room - except that the lady would rather rent to someone during the week and not over the weekend...

07.09.10: Lucy's 22nd Birthday. Graham went off to Plymouth and we went to Nantwich for the day. Warm, but with some torrential showers on the way home. Had lunch at our favourite pub The Boot and Shoe where the food is excellent and costs less than the beer!

08.09.10: Had to get up 'early' and be at the first tutor meeting of the year. Was nice as I sat next to one of the few people who said nice things to me about the article in The Derbyshire.

Most of my time since returning from America has been spent catching up on the website and today was no exception. As there is a Training Day in Derby tomorrow, I collected the people who are taking it from the station at 5.oopm and took them to their hotel - The Mackworth. Stayed there while we talking things through and had a carvery (excellent). Was surprised to find at the end of the evening that I am to introduce the proceedings tomorrow as the lady who was coming is unwell - my chance to shine?

09.09.10: Met the others at the Training venue in Sherwin Street at quarter past 9. We had about 21 people come, roughly half WI and half who are keen to take yarn crafts into school. Day went exceptionally well, really enjoyed being in charge of proceedings and can only hope that great things will come of today. Special mention to the members of the WI who served copious amounts of tea, coffee and home made cakes - not to mention the lovely lunch they also laid on. I took the three ladies back to the train station, met Lucy in town (eventually as there had been an accident) and had a 'bit of a shop', before heading home via Morrisons.

11.09.10: Went to our favourite lunch venue, The Spotted Cow at Holbrook and had a lovely meal (couldn't finish mine) to celebrate Lucy's birthday/getting a job. It's funny how things have changed so quickly - will we now be proper 'Derby and Joan' (perish the thought!)

12.09.10. Wasn't sure that I'd sleep last night - Lucy's last night at home - but we did. As Graham has had a busy week, I thought it best if I took Lucy down on my own. I tried to make it a jolly occasion by stopping off at The Designer Village at Bicester for lunch. Amazing place, which only has Designer Shops and you feel like to have to have a Designer wardrobe to even shop there. We almost had a nice lunch, but after first queuing for a table and then waiting 20 minutes for the food or which Lucy's seemed very small and my chargrilled salmon was raw inside, it was a bit of a disappointment. Onto Lucy's new pad. It is a really lovely bedsitting room with own bathroom, a newly converted loft, which has everything she could wish for except any wardrobe space! There were a few tears as I left. I managed to save mine for the trip home, although I was cheered by Classic FM playing Dvorak's Slavonic Dance opus 46, no.4 as I turned on the radio, it was as though someone knew...

13.09.10: This week everything will be back to normal. A full compliment of piano pupils. Five on Monday, three on Tuesday and three on Wednesday. Lots to do on the website. Teaching will start next week (if I have any classes).

14.09.10. Lucy started her new job. The people are lovely and have looked after her well. Unfortunately, her new shoes have shredded the backs of her ankles which has made things very difficult. You can plan for everything except the unexpected... Went back to tap class.

16.09.10: Tutor meeting at the Eco Centre at Wirksworth 6.30pm-8.30pm. We went there to lear about the Centre and about the launch which is on Saturday. Unfortunately, some over officious manager decided to hijack the proceedings and go on and on about how to fill in registers and how to plan for RARPA - I felt a slap would not have gone amiss! I finally got home at 10.00pm.

17.09.10: Went to Village Centre to attend enrolments for my class (the one that hasn't been advertised), and no one turned up! Went to the dentist straight after for a root filling. Needed tea and sympathy when I got home, but Graham has been away since Tuesday!

18.09.10: Up early and off to Wirksworth for the launch of the Eco Centre. Luckily, the weather was very kind and the sun shone while the speeches were being made. I was given a place outside where I would have perished had not my Line Manager arranged a better space for me inside to promote my class, thanks Jane! Graham brought Robert (who had come home for the weekend) just before 4 and was pleasantly surprised by the building and surroundings. I only have 5 enrolled, it seems there is lots of interest for the class, but everyone who wants to join works and can't make Thursday afternoons... Came home, got changed and went out of a meal at Nandos and then went to The Quad to see Tamara Drew. (Tamara?!)

19.09.10: Very strange to have Sunday lunch without Lucy being there... Robert left about 4pm.

21.09.10. Was introduced gently back into teaching by taking a Craft Club session at a library today. Taught 12 ladies the Iris folding Technique and everyone went home happy. Realised later that they were all eligible to come to my Jewellery Class, so then had to ring them all up. Several said that they will come. It would be wonderful if my Friday class runs...

23.09.10: My first class at The Eco Centre. Four learners came (one is on holiday). had a lovely time teaching them how to make a Friendship Bracelet. Home 10 past 4 and then left at 6.00pm to go to Noel Baker School to teach Jewellery again 7.00pm-9.00pm. This is not really my class, but have arranged to teach it till half term (5 weeks)

24.09.10: First Jewellery class at Village and 8 learners came (6 from the Craft Club I attended last Tuesday) so this class will run after all...joy! Lucy came home today for the weekend. Her boss lives in Derby and comes home every Friday. We met and went round the shops - just like old times. Unfortunately I'd done the food shopping before she came (to prove that I can do it on my own) lifted something I shouldn't and after nearly two months of Hermione being quiet, I have reawakened her...

25.09.10: Went to Chatsworth for the afternoon. Queued up for a very nice lunch and then had a good walk round the park and up to the hunting lodge. Lucy wore my shoes without backs and managed to get a blister on the arch of her foot. Bit chilly, but the sun shone.

26.09.10: Graham went to Newark auto jumble sale in the morning and was back for Sunday lunch. I took Lucy into town as there was a Next sale. Couldn't decide on a dress, so went and asked the people in M&S to put a coat 'by' for me. (It costs £79)

27.09.10. Graham took Lucy to the centre of Derby for her lift back to Oxford for 6.40am. Luckily they managed without me...

I received a request from an Italian holiday website on Friday asking to use one of my Tuscan landscape photos I have on Flickr. They asked how much...I have been agonising al weekend. In the end I asked for £100 for unlimited usage, but not copyright. They said fine...I can go and buy my coat...

28.09.10: Had my hair trimmed. I always find going to the hairdressers very traumatic as my hair always looks so short after. However, as my hair seems to be falling out at a rate of knots at the moment, it is probably for the best... Went to town and bought the coat I had 'put by' on Sunday (although I haven't actually received the money for the photo yet) New tap shoes for class.

29.09.10: Such are the delights of teaching that it took me all of today to work out and print Schemes of work, Initial and End Assessment forms et alia... and so far only one of my classes is likely to run...

30.09.10 Second class at The Eco Centre. We spent a pleasant afternoon making paper beads. I'd shown the ladies hold to make Plarn last week (yarn from plastic bags) and one of them brought in a bag she had crocheted from recycled plastic bags, yay! Lesson at school went OK, but managed to get lost in deepest Alvaston on the way home, boo!